Tie-rod bracket for concrete forms



Sept. 20, 1966 H. M. ALLEN ET AL TIE-ROD BRACKET FOR CONCRETE FORMS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 21, 1965 HELEN M. ALLEN AVERY J. AUSTIN INVENTORS p 1966 H. M. ALLEN ET AL 3,273,848

TIE-HOD BRACKET FOR CONCRETE FORMS Filed June 21 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 HELEN M. ALLEN AVERY J. AUSTIN 'INVENTORS ATTORNEY Sept. 20, 1966 H. M. ALLEN ET AL TIE-ROD BRACKET FOR CONCRETE FORMS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 21, 1963 N N L M L 0 A .Am M V m m E V A P 1966 H. M. ALLEN ET AL 3,273,848

TIE-ROD BRACKET FOR CONCRETE FORMS Filed June 21, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG HELEN M. ALLEN AVERY J. AUSTIN INVENTORS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,273,348 THE-ROD BRAfIKET FUR QONCRETE FQRMS Helen M. Allen, 1724 Morocco Drive, San Jose, Calif, $5.11 1hAvery J. Austin, 19314 69th Place W., Lynnwood,

Filed .lune 21, 1963, Ser. No. 289,512 5 Claims. ((Il. 249--219) The present invention is directed to the production of concrete walls and particularly to new and novel adjustable waler-receiving brackets useful in the construction of wall forms which hold the concrete in place while it sets. More particularly, the invention is concerned with wall forms of the general type disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,962,060 to Homer E. Allen in which a bracket of the general type disclosed therein is employed to position and tension tie rods having abutment means to position the inner face of the wall forms and integral heads for engagement with the inner wall of the bracket.

Concrete walls are constructed to perform various functions. When the wall is intended to form an exposed architectural surface, the standards of surface uniformity are more severe than when this is not the case. Also, some builders, for one reason or another, are faced with the problems of utilizing lumber some or all of which has shrunk below standard dimensions. When the lumber is undersized, it lies loosely upon the bracket and can move outwardly under the pressure of the concrete. Wall forms in the vicinity of the tie rods are usually positioned reasonably well by the bracket. However, the undersized timbers may be moved outwardly by the concrete pressure especially between the holders. As a result, a wall can be formed which is thinner in the immediate vicinity of the tie rods than it is further away from the tie rods. In this way the concrete sets resulting in an objectionable architecturally imperfect surface.

It is stressed that the problem of obtaining an architectural finish spring from and is associated with the lumber used since lumber shrinks when exposed to dry atmospheres for long periods as occurs in some of themore arid regions of the country. While the defect is curable with proper lumber, it is a feature of the present invention to retain the simplicity and economy of the wall forming system of said Allen patent, while enabling walls to be formed which have an architectural finish, even when some or all of the lumber available to the builder is undersized.

While reference has been made to undersized lumber, the same is true to some extent when individual pieces of lumber are warped and not straight or are otherwise defective.

It will also be appreciated that the force to be resisted has its origin in the wet concrete and will, therefore, vary depending upon variables in constructions, especially the height and width of the wall being poured and the rate of pour. Circumstances can arise in which the strength of the bracket is exceeded, causing it to yield under the tensive force applied and thereby permitting the walers, studs and wall forms to move out. A feature of the present invention is the provision of brackets having an increased capacity to resist yielding under high loads. Hence, the utility of this invention enables it to be expanded into areas of concrete wall formation not hitherto viewed as feasible, such as in heavy bridge constructions, for example.

Still other problems may be met and overcome in accordance with the invention. Thus, and to some extent, irrespective of the system used to tighten the tie rods, the tightening element may work loose when the wall forms are vibrated to pack the poured concrete, as

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is frequently done. The invention provides for means to insure that the tightening means will not slip.

The invention provides a structure in which small increments of concrete moving through the tie rod hole in the tie end wall will fall or can be driven through the bracket structure to facilitate bracket removal.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of brackets in which the outer wall member is of increased height to receive superposed walers. Also the outer wall member is movable into a nested position to facilitate shipment or storage.

In accordance with the invention, the bracket is formed of rigid metal and comprises two members movable with respect to one another. The first member is formed to define an upstanding inner wall having formed therein a tie rod head receiving opening. While the specific nature of this opening is of secondary significance, it can be formed as an inverted key hole as taught in the Allen patent referred to, or if desired, the lower end of the opening may be open to facilitate reception of a tie rod head. Extending rearwardly of the tie end wall is a horizontal rest portion which is longer than the inner wall.

The first member is further shaped to include an outer upturned end which is formed to include abutment means facing the inner wall and positioned above the level of said horizontal rest portion. In cooperation with this first member is a second member termed an outer wall means which is mounted upon the horizontal rest portion of the first member for vertical movement with respect thereo. The outer wall means includes wedge means which face the outer upturned end of the first member and which are positioned tobear against the abutment means thereof. These wedge means are sloped upwardly and forwardly so that when the outer wall means is forced upwardly, it will move toward the inner wall of the first member.

In preferred constructions, the outer" wall means is U-shape, the U being closed at its upper end by a rearwardly extending cross member, which is configurated to interlock with an upstanding tongue on the outer upturned end of the first member. The cross member is configurated so that it interlocks with the tongue while permitting the tongue to be received within the opening formed by the U-shape of the outer wall means.

For purposes of strength, the horizontal rest portion is formed of beam-cross-section and desirably terminates -at its forward end in a yoke which is connected to the inner wall to define a vertical opening immediately to the rear of the inner wall and which facilitates removal of concrete which may see-p through the inner wall.

Preferred construction further includes the formation of the abutment means as wedge elements which are inclined at the same angle as the wedge means on the outer wall means so that the outer wall means is retained in a vertical position as it moves upwardly.

A feature of the invention is the fact that the outer wall means is normally positioned upon the upstanding tongue referred to so that, with timber of proper grade and dimension, there is no need to do anything in order to tighten the tie rods. At the same time, and where the timber is defective, the outer wall means may be driven upwardly, as by a hammer or mallet to accommodate the undersized timber which has been used. To avoid the chance that the outer wall means will drop, it is desirably formed to include nail-receiving openings, so that, after the outer wall has been driven, it may be held in place by the driving of a nail.

As a further feature of the invention, it is desirable that the two components of the bracket of the invention be retained into a single structural member and, for this purpose, the horizontal rest portion is formed with outwardly extending flanges which further prevent removal of the outer wall means or its positioning remote from the upturned end of the first member. Also, the structure is arranged so that the outer wall means may be elevated and then tilted forwardly so that the outer wall means will rest upon the flanges to facilitate stacking and shipping.

The bracket of this invention does not tension the ties by any type of pivot arrangement. In fact no leverage is employed except as provided by the wedge.

The tie end of the bracket does not touch the plywood panel after the ties have been tensioned. Tensioning of the ties is achieved by driving the bracket wedges upwardly to bring the wedge tightly against the waler. The waler in turn bears against the vertical studs which bear against the form. At the same time driving the wedge upwardly forces the bracket away from the form to thereby exert tension on the tie rod. Such tension is realized by movement of the form against the cone. At this point the system is locked or secured by firmly attaching the wedge to the waler as by a nail or the like. Thus, an object of this system is to hold the tie end of the bracket away from the form panels and at the same time to force the vertical studs tightly and firmly against the form.

The reasoning is that a nonadjustable holder allows the pressure of the concrete to force or bulge the plywood form outwardly against the stud in the areas between the holders. Such bulging or deflecting of the form is often realized in situations in which the Wa lers are undersize. The adjustable bracket embodied in this invention allows for undersize walers so that the studs are uniformly snugged to the form. By making the bracket so that its tie end is spaced from the form the studs are insured of taking the full load and in equal amounts.

Other and further features of the invention will be evident from the detailed description which follows.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective and showing the same as having a pair of spaced wall forms which are filled with concrete;

FIGURE 2 is a typical, cross-sectional view taken through one of the tie-rod members by a vertical section. The thickness of the wall has been foreshortened to make it possible to show the essential elements employed on an increased scale;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of one of our bracket members using a wedge adjusting means which is formed as a component thereof but movable with respect to the main bracket portion;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, perspective view showing one manner of closing the ends of the U-shaped wedge member before the closing link is riveted in place;

FIGURE 5 illustrates a modified form of closure which is applied to the main bracket member after both it and the wedge unit have been cast or otherwise constructed and outlining the method of closing the same so that it will be a fixture with the bracket;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary, perspective view, partly in section, showing the two ends of FIGURE 5 as brought together and riveted in place;

FIGURE 7 shows one end of the bracket member and illustrates the bayonet type opening employed to engage the tie rods with which the bracket is used;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged view showing in full lines the outer portion of the bracket and the wedge in its lower position. In dashed lines is shown the wedge driven upwardly as would be required in making a maximum adjustment of the concrete wall forms;

FIGURE 9 is a view showing a typical tie rod suitable for use with our bracket;

FIGURE 10 illustrates one of the various centering means for tie rod;

FIGURE 11 is a modified showing of our bracket on an enlarged scale as used with larger walers or a plurality of them, the illustration shows in vertical section as it would occur at each end of the tie rod;

FIGURE 12 illustrates a modified form of wedge where the rivet portions are cast or molded as part of the wedge;

FIGURE 13 is a side elevation of our bracket and wedge assembly as folded or nested as for shipment; and

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary end view of our bracket, shown in its normal vertical position.

Referring now to the drawings, throughout which like reference characters indicate like parts, the numerals 8 and 22 designate generally two alternative forms of this invention. Obviously the invention may take other forms but the configuration generally indicated is very satisfactory. Various materials may be used in the manufacture of the invention, though cast iron and cast steel are probably best. It is desirable that the bracket have some resilient characteristics because of its unusual form, its rugged usage and the need for avoiding minor breakage due to brittleness. By the same .token too much resiliency in the material would detract from the purpose which it is intended to serve.

The bracket 8 comprises essentially an elongated I-beam type horizontal waler support section 10 having a web portion 42. No limitation is intended as to the nature of the cross section of support section It The I-beam feature merely seems most practical. As can be seen by reference to FIGURES 3, 7 and 14 the wall form end of the bracket has a substantially vertical plate 16 spaced from the end 23 of the support section 10. Said plate 16 and end 23 of support section It are interconnected by a yoke defined by Walls which extend or flare from end 23 outwardly joining integrally with said plate 16. Note that FIGURE 3 shows the yoke walls 20 as joining plate 16 in spaced relation to the side edges of said plate thus resulting in the formation of plate margins 18 and 19. It will be observed that yoke walls 20 increase in vertical dimension from end 23 to the plate. The thickness of said yoke walls 20 however will remain substantially uniform throughout, though, again, no limitation is intended in this respect. FIGURES 7 and 14 show yoke walls 20 as integrally joined to and merging with the side edges of plate 16 thus eliminating plate margins 18 and 19. The inner surfaces of yoke walls 20 between plate and end 23 are free of structure so that a generally triangular unobstructed opening 24 is defined directly behind the plate.

Plate 16 is provided with a vertical slot opening 25 located generally in the center thereof. In the embodiments of the bracket illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 7 a hole 12, which is larger than slot opening 25, is formed below and in conjunction with the slot in order to admit the heads 14 which are on each end of tie rods 15. In this way the shank of the tie rod is accommodated in slot opening 25 with head 14 of tie rod 15 hearing against the rear or outer surface 26 of plate 16.

FIGURES 2, 11 and 14 show the preferred form of the tie end of the bracket in which part of the lower portion of plate 16 is cut away to furnish a centering means for slot 25 thus facilitating engagement of the bracket with the tie rod. The cut away portion of the plate has lower plate edges 27 which extend from a point slightly above the lower corners of plate 16 and which angle upwardly and inwardly to join slot 25.

The outer or wedge end of the bracket is formed upwardly to present an enlarged end portion 28 having holding section rising above the upper surface of support section 10. The outer surface of end portion 28 curves in a generally round configuration. In effect the outer end of the bracket is reverse formed on itself as indicated by holding section 45. FIGURE 3 shows most clearly that the holding section 45 also widens appreciably above the upper surface of support section 10 thus extending outwardly beyond both sides of said support section. The center area of the inside central surface of holding section 45 rises generally vertically as indicated by number 51. The side portions of holding section 45 are formed to provide wedge bearing surfaces 43 and 44 which, as can be seen, slope upwardly and inwardly. The surfaces 43 and 44 extend from the outer edges of section 45 to a vertical line or plane approximately coincident with the side edges of the top flange of the I-beam support section 10. Note that the surface 51 is spaced slightly inwardly of the wedge bearing surfaces 43 and 44. A tongue extension means 52, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter, rises above holding section 45 partly as a continuation of control surface 51.

The second member, generally referred to by number 40, is movable with respect to the first member 8. Member 40 is generally U-shaped and actually closed at both ends, and consists primarily of two spaced-apart, elongated generally vertical leg members 61. A base or web cross member 57 connects said legs 61 at the bottom ends thereof below the under side of support section 10. Thus, the leg members 61 straddle support section in a loose fitting and sliding relationship. The upper ends of legs 61 are interconnected by an outwardly offset connecting bar or strap 50. In this way second member or wedge in its unusued position will slip down allowing connecting strap 50 to come to rest on holding section with the strap positioned and hence secured around the outer side of tongue 52. The result of this feature for holding wedge 40 in a generally vertical condition is to present a flat abutment surface 29 against which the walers may bear when the studs and walers are being assembled and secured at any section of the form.

While the inner face of wedge 40 presents the abutment surface 29, the outer face of said wedge is provided with the Wedge bearing surfaces 46 and 48. Each leg 61 has such a wedge surface beginning at a point just under connecting strap 50 and angling downwardly and outwardly for a distance of approximately slightly more than half the length of each of said legs 61. The wedge bearing surfaces 46 and 48 are located so as to bear on wedge bearing surfaces 43 and 44 on the first member. Obviously .the angles of slant or slope of the wedges and their bearing surfaces are complementary. In this manner the wedge 40 allows full and undersized walers and studs to be used without impairing the usefulness of the system since the wedge principle employed compensates for inconsistent dimensions of the lumber used. If the lumber is of correct size the wedge will be driven upwardly only a short distance. 011 the other hand if the lumber is undersized, warped or otherwise not true the wedge may be driven up further. In any event all studs and walers can be snugged firmly to the plywood form panels.

Referring to FIGURE 2 it will be noted that the length from the outer surface 26 of plate 16 to the inner surface of the upturned end portion 28, as defined by abutment surface means 29, will be a function of the dimensions used in the wooden or metal studding 30 and horizontal waler 32. The plywood forms 34 and 35 are normally five-eighths to three-quarter inch plywood and with such an arrangement the studding 30 normally used is of 2 x 4s, usually mounted edgewise with the forms panels 34 and 35. Outside the studding and in engagement therewith are the walers 32. Said walers are horizontal so that they meet the studding at substantially right angles and in the proportions shown. The waler is also usually 2 x 4 and laid fiat on the horizontal support section 10 so as to have maximum supporting value for the wall. Such proportions are generally employed with relatively low walls. As the walls become higher and thicker the rate of pouring increases, or the vibratory forces increase, placing a great deal of additional strain on the framing as well as the Wall form members 34 and 35. Under such conditions heavier tie rods 15 are employed and the walers are proportionately increased so as to give maximum resistance to distortional forces.

An alternate arrangement for heavy loads is shown in FIGURE 11. -In such cases the walers may be doubled as shown by numbers 32 and 33. Hence the studding is similarly increased and the upturned end portion 28 and abutment surface 29 of the brackets will be increased in depth. It therefore becomes apparent, .it is believed, that the length of the I-beam portion 10 should be suited to the type of wall being constructed, it being necessary to increase the length between surface 26 and the engaging face 29 of wedge member 40'.

As the length of the I-beam section 10- is increased it becomes desirable to increase the depth of the web portion 42 of said I-beam so as to give increased strength at a point where it is most needed. Additional length in the I-beam may be required if it is desired to use 2 x 6 walers for greater strength in particular pouring jobs. Double 2 x 4s as shown in FIGURE 11 would require regular 2 x 4 length but greater beam depth because of the increased bending moment on the beam section. It has been found convenient to have a plurality of small notches or slots 54 formed in the flat portion of wedge 40 at the outside edge thereof. This makes it possible to secure the wedge in a tight engagement by driving a nail 53 into the waler and engaging it with one of notches 54. Wedge 40 can be made with certain modifications. In FIGURES 5 and 6 it is shown as an open U-shaped member in the open position at 55 and in the closed position and riveted together at 56 in FIGURE 6. It is desirable to make these two units separately although if made in sulficient quantity they could be cast t'ogeiher with suitable pattern work. In FIGURE 4 the upper end of wedge member 40 is illustrated as being open and closed by a bar 58 which is riveted in place as by rivets 60. FIGURE 3 shows the lower connecting member 57 as integral with legs 61 and the strap 50 as welded together.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the movable wedge member 40 does not necessarily have to move in a generally vertical direction. Because gravity will drop the wedge member so that the abutment surface 29 is closest to the holding end and thus giving a maximum amount of opening along the length of the horizontal support member, the wedge 40 is preferably designed to be driven from beneath the bracket. It could however be designed to be driven from either side as well as from the top of the bracket. It will also be recognized that the support portion of the bracket may be formed of a pair of generally spaced-apart, parallel members which have a Wedge member placed between them.

It is believed that it will be clearly apparent from the above description and the disclosure in the drawings that the invention comprehends a novel construction of bracket means for securing the ends of concrete form tie rods.

What is claimed is:

1. A rigid metal bracket comprising:

(a) a first member formed to define an upstanding tie rod end wall formed with a tie rod head-receiving opening, a horizontal rest portion longer than the distance between the lower end of said tie rod end wall and said tie rod head-receiving opening and extending rearwardly from said tie rod end wall, an outer upturned holding end formed to include an upstanding tongue means and holding means facing said tie rod end wall and positioned above the level of said horizontal rest portion; and

(b) a Ushaped second member closed at its lower end and closed at its upper end by a .rearwardly olfset cross connecting member, said second member being mounted upon the horizontal rest portion of said first member and vertically movable with respect thereto, U-shaped portion of said outer wall means having wedge means facing the outer upturned holding end of said first member, said wedge means being positioned to bear against said holding means and being sloped upwardly and forwardly to cause said second member to move toward the tie rod end wall of the first member when said second member is forced upwardly, said cross connecting member being configurated to interlock with said tongue means while permitting said tongue means to be received within the opening formed by the U-shape of said outer wall means.

2. A metal bracket as recited in claim 1 in which said horizontal rest portion includes rearwardly positioned, outwardly extending stop flanges spaced from said outer upturned holding end to receive said U-shaped second member between said upturned holding end and said flanges.

3. A metal bracket as recited in claim 2 in which said holding means are positioned above the level of said horizontal rest portion to permit said second member to be moved upwardly and tilted forwardly to rest upon said flanges.

4. A metal bracket as recited in claim 1 in which said U-shaped second member is formed to define nail-receiving openings spaced along the length thereof.

5. A rigid metal bracket comprising:

(a) a first member formed to define an upstanding tie rod end wall formed with a tie rod head engaging opening, a horizontal rest portion longer than said tie rod end Wall and extending rearwardly therefrom so that a waler may rest upon said horizontal rest portion remote from said tie rod end wall, an outer upturned holding end formed to include holding means facing said inner wall and positioned above the level of said horizontal rest portion;

(b) a movable second member mounted upon the horizontal rest portion of said first member and vertically movable with respect thereto, said second member comprising wedge means facing the outer upturned holding end of said first member, said wedge means being positioned to bear against said holding means and being sloped upwardly and forwardly to cause said second member to move toward the tie rod end wall of the first member when said second member is forced upwardly thereby forcing said waler against vertical studding and to thereby tension tie rods adapted to engage said tie rod head engaging opening; and

(c) said holding 'means comprising upwardly and forwardly inclined wedge bearing elements inclined at the same angle as the wedge means of said second member so that said second member is retained in a vertical position as it moves upwardly.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,819,863 1/1958 Vines 2513l 2,904,870 9/1959 Hillberg 2513l 2,952,060 9/1960 Allen 25l31 2,977,659 4/ 1961 Buxton 25-13l I. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner.

MICHAEL V. BRINIDISI, WILIAM J. STEPHENSON,

Examiners.

G. A. KAP, R. D. BALDWIN, Assistant Examiners. 

1. A RIGID METAL BRACKET COMPRISING: (A) A FIRST MEMBER FORMED TO DEFINE AN UPSTANDING TIE ROD END WALL FORMED WITH A TIE ROD HEAD-RECEIVING OPENING, A HORIZONTAL REST PORTION LONGER THAN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE LOWER END OF SAID TIE ROD END WALL AND SAID TIE ROD HEAD-RECEIVING OPENING AND EXTENDING REARWARDLY FROM SAID TIE ROD END WALL, AN OUTER UPTURNED HOLDING END FORMED TO INCLUDE AN UPSTANDING TONGUE MEANS AND HOLDING MEANS FACING SAID TIE ROD END WALL AND POSITIONED ABOVE THE LEVEL OF SAID HORIZONTAL REST PORTION; AND (B) A U-SHAPED SECOND MEMBER CLOSED AT ITS LOWER END AND CLOSED AT ITS UPPER END BY REARWARDLY OFFSET CROSS CONNECTING MEMBER, SAID SECOND MEMBER BEING MOUNTED UPON THE HORIZONTAL REST PORTION OF SAID FIRST MEMBER AND VERTICALLY MOVABLE WITH RESPECT THERETO, U-SHAPED PORTION OF SAID OUTER WALL MEANS HAVING WEDGE MEANS FACING THE OUTER UPTURNED HOLDING END OF SAID FIRST MEMBER, SAID WEDGE MEANS BEING POSITIONED TO BEAR AGAINST SAID HOLDING MEANS AND BEING SLOPED UPWARDLY AND FORWARDLY TO CAUSE SAID SECOND MEMBER TO MOVE TOWARD THE TIE ROD END WALL OF THE FIRST MEMBER WHEN SAID SECOND MEMBER IS FORCED UPWARDLY, SAID CROSS CONNECTING MEMBER BEING CONFIGURATED TO INTERLOCK WITH SAID TONGUE MEANS WHILE PERMITTING SAID TONGUE MEANS TO BE RECEIVED WITHIN THE OPENING FORMED BY THE U-SHAPED OF SAID OUTER WALL MEANS. 